08/17/2026
Check out the amazing mural at Lad Lake off the Bike Path!
A once-blank wall at Lad Lake’s Dousman campus has become a vibrant expression of healing, hope and possibility through a mural co-created by world-traveled artist Dimitri Kadiev and young people receiving residential treatment at Lad Lake.
The project began with Eric Roche, Director of Lad Lake’s Dousman residential program, who envisioned using the campus space to engage young people in creating something meaningful and lasting. Through his connection with Dimitri, that initial idea grew into a hands-on opportunity for youth to learn directly from a professional artist while helping tell the story of Lad Lake’s work.
“This started with the belief that our young people should have opportunities not only to experience art, but to help create something that belongs to them,” said Roche. “Dimitri immediately understood what we hoped to accomplish. He did not simply come here to paint a mural—he invited the youth into the process, listened to their ideas and helped them see that their creativity has value. Watching the design come to life has been incredibly meaningful.”
Dimitri has created murals in communities around the world, using public art to bring people together and turn shared spaces into sources of identity, connection and pride. During his time at Lad Lake, he invited youth into each stage of the creative process—from exploring ideas and developing the design to learning painting techniques and working alongside him to bring the mural to life.
The completed mural reflects the heart of Lad Lake’s work: helping young people heal from trauma, discover their strengths and build pathways toward healthy and successful futures.
“This project is about much more than painting a wall,” said Donelle Hauser, President and CEO of Lad Lake. “ young people had the opportunity to work beside a professional artist, contribute their own ideas and see that their voices and talents have value. They are creating something meaningful that will remain part of this campus long after the final brushstroke.”
Demitri also shared with youth how art has allowed him to travel, build community and contribute to healing in places around the world. The project introduced participants to mural painting as a potential career, trade and form of creative expression—an opportunity many may not otherwise have encountered.
“Creative experiences help young people imagine possibilities beyond what they have previously known,” Hauser said. “For some, this may spark an interest in art or a future career. For others, it may be the powerful experience of being able to point to something beautiful and say, ‘I helped create that.’”
Lad Lake revealed the completed mural on Monday, August 10th at its Dousman campus.
About Lad Lake
Lad Lake is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization dedicated to guiding the growth of youth and families so they can reach their fullest potential. Through residential treatment, education, mental health services, mentoring and community-based programs, Lad Lake helps young people overcome significant challenges, heal from trauma and build brighter futures.
